Human Biosphere History

By: Alex Kucenski

Human Biosphere History

By: Alex Kucenski

Phase 1

In the early ages when humans were forming civilizations, there main sources of food were either from gathering plants or hunting animals, hence hunter-gatherer. Humans were interacting with each other with a common language and understanding. There was an abundance of food/organisms so humans had little impact on the populations of these species and they never over harvested anything. For the most part everything in ecology was balanced.

Phase 2

In this portion of time humans discover they can domesticate and tame animals, so whenever they need food they can use some of their livestock and save the rest. For humans it was very efficient and made life easier. Also rather than looking for plants, they discovered they could plant seeds of plants then harvest them as needed similar to the animals. This had a small effect on the organisms as the tamed livestock became less aggressive and certain plants were grown over others.

Phase 3

In this time humans have mastered machinery in this industrial area. They have utilized tools to make harvesting, cleaning, and processing for food easier. The air and water is minorly polluted with excess smog and chemicals from factories. For humans these conditions are dangerous and rough with low pay. Ecology is harmed in this process affecting the organisms that breathe the air and drink the water near these factories. Some of the populations are beginning to decline and animals adapt.

Phase 4

People are crowding into cities where there are lots of factories and pollution. The streets are dirty and the air and water is unhealthy. Due to the overcrowding, poor air, and water, few organisms live in or near the city. Organisms populations have dropped and some have adapted to be better suited to living in the city. Humans are somewhat concerned about pollution and there are some efforts to stop it. Ecology is more unbalanced than balanced with populations being low and high mortality rates affecting environmental balance.

Phase 5

Humans have discover high sources of energy such as coal, oil, natural gas, and wood. Energy is released when these are burned this however, causes pollution, global warming and harm to organisms. In fact some organisms have become extinct or endangered due to deforestation, oil spills, and fires from these resources. As well as mining these sources harm the soil and can make it infertile. Organisms populations have declined and they are forced to adapt in order to survive. Humans are aware of pollution and efforts have been made to stop it but there are minimal results. Ecology is unbalanced and the food chains and webs are disrupted from low populations and environmental hazards.

Phase 6

Ecological certainties are things that are believed to happen. For example rain, climate change, storms, etc, that have an effect on ecology. Since these are expected they can be prepared for. Ecological uncertainties are unexpected for example, earthquake, fire, tsunami, tornado, etc. Since these are unexpected little can be done to prevent them and they can cause serious damage to ecosystems and disrupt ecology.

Phase 7

To solve the problems of the previous ways of energy, our future consists of energy from solar panels, hydroelectric dams, safe nuclear power plants, and possibly steam powered plants. These are clean forms of energy that are inexhaustible. It is best we invest in these for the future of our planet.